Driving Lessons in Banbury

View other guides: Driving Lessons in London, Driving Lessons in Birmingham, Driving Lessons in Manchester.

How to choose a driving school in Banbury

You don’t just want to learn with any old driving instructor in Banbury. You want someone who:

• Builds your confidence
• Makes it enjoyable to learn
• Won’t empty your pockets!

So when you come to pick a driving school in Banbury, follow these simple steps:

1. Compare reviews

Most driving schools in Banbury only show their best reviews on their websites. So, it’s important to read reviews on unbiased review sites like Trustpilot or Yell to get a full idea of what it’s like to learn with them. Check how the schools respond to negative reviews as this will give you an idea of how helpful they are if things do go wrong.

2. Beware of terms and conditions

Terms and conditions may be boring but if you don’t read them you could be missing out on important information. For example, some driving schools in Banbury won’t refund your unused hours if you pass your driving test before using up your lesson package. So, you need to know what to expect.

3. Check that you can switch instructors

You want to make sure that you get on with your driving instructor. The safest way to do this is by making sure you can switch instructors if you need to, but some driving schools in Banbury may not have other instructors in the area who you can switch to. Make sure you find out whether this is something they offer before booking.

4. Avoid long waiting times

You don’t want to book a driving lesson package only to wait weeks before you even meet your driving instructor! Many driving schools in Banbury don’t advertise their waiting times and often you won’t see them until you’ve actually booked your lessons. Be sure to ask before booking, so that you don’t risk waiting longer than you have to.

Tips for learning to drive in Banbury

If you’re able to, put some private practice in between your driving lessons in Banbury. It’s the best way to hone your driving skills and pass your driving test faster.

A few driving instructors in Banbury say that there are tons of great practice spots in the area. Here are just a few:

• Ruskin Road: If you’re just starting out, driving instructors in Banbury recommend heading to Ruskin Road. It’s wide, straight and fairly quiet as long as you don’t hit it during the school rush (it’s in the vicinity of plenty of schools!). So, you should be able to practise your clutch control and steering in peace.

• Woodgreen Avenue roundabout: There’s a straightforward roundabout on Wood Green Avenue that’s generally fairly quiet and not too scary. Our driving instructors in Banbury say that it’s a brilliant spot to get to grips with the basics of roundabout driving.

• Cherwell Drive: Take a spin on Cherwell Drive to really put your roundabout driving to the test - you’ll find three roundabouts in quick succession of each other, so you won’t have much time to relax in between!

• Cherwell Street: Part of the A4260, Cherwell Street is a great place to practise your urban driving. Driving instructors in Banbury warn that there are plenty of busy junctions where you’ll need to respond to road markings and safely change lanes. You can do it!

• The A422: Dual carriageway driving is likely to crop up on your driving test, so getting heaps of practice on the A422 will stand you in good stead. Make sure that you get used to changing lanes and using slip roads safely.

• Warkworth Road: There are tons of country roads just a stone’s throw from Banbury. Warkworth Road is just one. You’re usually allowed to drive at the national speed limit on these, but they’re often narrow and winding, so that’s not always the most sensible choice! Practise judging the right speed to drive at, especially in different weather conditions.

Choosing your test centre

Once you’ve completed some driving lessons in Banbury, your instructor will introduce you to the areas around your chosen test centre, so that you’re familiar with the routes that could come up in your practical driving test. There’s only one test centre in Banbury itself.

Test centre pass rates

DVSA practical car test pass rates, 2018-2019.

Banbury Test Centre | Pass rate: 53.1%

If you’re learning to drive in Banbury, you’re in luck - the pass rate for Banbury Test Centre is far higher than the UK national average! You can expect to encounter country roads, dual carriageway driving and suburban roads on a test here.

Address: 3 West Bar Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 9SD

To see more test centres near your area, enter your postcode on the DVSA website.

Test tips from driving instructors in Banbury

Instructors in Banbury have given us all the inside tips on passing your driving test in the area.

1. Bring what you need

You’ll need to bring both your provisional driving licence and your theory test pass certificate to your driving test. If you don’t, your test could be cancelled without a refund.

2. Be prepared for country roads

You’re likely to encounter country roads on a test from Banbury Test Centre. Make sure that you adapt your driving based on the road’s conditions, rather than just going for the national speed limit regardless.

3. Observe!

Banbury's driving instructors say that lots of learners pick up faults on their driving test because they don’t observe enough. So, make sure that you’re comfortable with your MSPSL routine and that when in doubt you check your mirrors!

Choosing between manual and automatic

If you’re stuck between manual and automatic driving lessons, we’re hoping that we can help you make a decision.

Manual driving lessons are most popular, particularly in rural locations like Banbury. Not only are manual lessons cheaper, but manual cars are cheaper to buy and hire as well. Plus manual cars give you an added sense of control, allowing you to change down a gear for an added boost of power when needed. This is especially handy on country roads, dual carriageways and motorways.

Automatic driving lessons tend to be more popular in the city. They remove the need to press and depress the clutch pedal each time you come to a standstill, which is much more relaxing if you’re driving in heavy traffic or in areas where there are lots of traffic lights, junctions and pedestrian crossings. Although automatic lessons tend to be more expensive, there’s less to get your head around so you might find that you pass faster.

While a manual driving licence will qualify you to drive both manual and automatic cars, an automatic driving licence will only qualify you to drive automatic cars. So, manual driving lessons do offer that extra bit of flexibility.

Where can you have driving lessons in Banbury

Wherever you’re looking for a driving instructor in Banbury, we have you covered. Some popular locations are:

Chacombe, Deddington, Easington, Grimsbury, Middleton Cheney, Neithrop and Souldern.